Fair Square Medicare Wordmark

How to Choose a Medigap Plan

By Daniel Petkevich

Jan 10, 2023

Making Sense Out of the Medigap Alphabet Soup

Ever heard folks talking about Plan F or Plan G? Those are Medigap plans. Here, we'll explain what they are and why we think Plan G is a good fit for folks who want the most coverage.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Medigap plans exist to - you guessed it - fill the gaps in Part A (In-Patient Coverage) and Part B (Out-Patient) coverage. They are plans that are subsidized and defined by Medicare but offered by private insurance carriers. What that means is you'll purchase a Medigap plan from a private carrier, like Cigna or Anthem, and that the benefits of the same plan are the same across carriers. Plan G from Cigna is the same as Plan G from Anthem. If you buy a Medigap plan, you'll pay a premium for it on top of the Part B premium you're already paying.

At first, choosing a Medigap plan can be daunting because there's a literal alphabet soup of options. There's Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan M, and Plan N. Here's a description of their benefits:

Visual asset.

Whew! That's a lot of information. Let's go through this table by choosing one of the plans with the most checkmarks: Plan G. With Plan G, you get:

  • Coverage for Part A Coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up - With just Part A, you have to pay $400 per day in 2023 or more after the 61st day you're in the hospital. Plan G covers this and gives you an extra year of covered days.

  • Part B Coinsurance - With Part B, you're on the hook for 20% of medical expenses after you meet your deductible. Plan G covers all qualifying medical expenses after you meet your deductible.

  • Blood - Should you need blood, Plan G covers the first three pints, which Part A does not.

  • Part A Hospice & Skilled Nursing Facility Care - Should you go to a hospice or skilled nursing facility, Plan G covers your coinsurance.

  • Part A deductible - Plan G covers your Part A deductible, $1,600 in 2023.

  • Part B deductible - Plan G does not cover this.

  • Part B Excess Charge - Doctors who accept Medicare will sometimes bill more than what Medicare will reimburse. Usually, you are on the hook for this "excess charge" but Plan G will cover it.

  • Foreign Travel - Plan G will pay for 80% of your medical expenses abroad up to $50,000.

  • Out of Pocket Limit - There is no out-of-pocket limit

Now let's get to choosing a plan. In the world of insurance, paying more doesn't always get you better coverage. A plan's premium is dictated by a number of factors, one of which is how many people are enrolled in it. Generally, the more people enrolled in a plan the lower its premium.

This relationship between coverage and premium is important to remember because around two-thirds of the people enrolled in Medigap plans are enrolled in Plans F or G. They offer the most coverage of all the Medigap plans but aren't the most expensive. As an example, consider the average prices of Medigap plans in California for a 65-year-old non-smoking female from carriers with at least an AM Best rating of "A-".

Visual asset.

Looking at this data, we can immediately rule out five of the 12 Medigap plans available. Here's how:

  • Five plans are more expensive than Plan G, but only one, Plan F, has stronger benefits. This lets us rule out Plans C, D, B, and M. No point in paying more for less coverage.

  • The only difference between Plan F and G is that the former covers the $226 Medicare Part B deductible. However, looking closely at the chart we see that Plan F costs, on average, about $50 more per month than Plan G. No point in paying an extra $600 a year for $226 in savings.

So we've whittled down our options to G, A, L, N, K and the high deductible versions of Plans F and G. Which one you choose depends on the prices unique to you (we used averages) and how much coverage you want. For folks who want maximum coverage, Plan G is usually the best fit. Go to

www.fairsquaremedicare.com

to see how much you'd pay for Plan G.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Recommended Articles

senior man holding up his medicare card stock photo

Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number

May 12, 2022

COVID-19 at home test stock image

Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?

Dec 21, 2022

stack of books stock image

Do You Need Books on Medicare?

Apr 6, 2023

stair lift stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?

Nov 18, 2022

Gastroenterologist doctor, stomach specialist. Aesthetic handdrawn highlighted illustration of human stomach. Neutral grey background, studio photo and collage. stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?

Dec 27, 2022

Leg bones and knees, 3d rendering. stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Boniva?

Nov 29, 2022

Doctor physician consulting with male patient in hospital exam room stock photo

Is Gainswave Covered by Medicare?

Dec 6, 2022

Caucasian nurse holding spine model against the patients backs. Clinic interior. stock photo

Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?

Nov 28, 2022

Heart on Heart Rhythm Background Concept stock photo

Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?

Dec 1, 2022

Human hands holding healthy lung shape made from paper on light blue background. stock photo

How Much Does Trelegy Cost with Medicare?

Jan 24, 2023

Sleep apena stock image

Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?

Dec 27, 2022

Indianapolis skyline at night stock image

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis

Mar 9, 2023

Physiotherapist showing workout record on exercise bike

Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology?

Jan 11, 2023

Person receiving a vaccine stock photo

Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?

Nov 17, 2022

senior man on a phone call stock image

Last Day to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan

Jul 14, 2025

Cover image

How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?

Aug 14, 2023

Modern endoscope in hands of experienced medical worker stock photo

How Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?

Dec 27, 2022

An illustrated image of a cartoon man using giant scissors to cut the "T" in the word "Tax"

How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes

Dec 28, 2022

More of our articles

10 Top Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Companies for 2025

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Phoenix

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.

14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte

20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent

Building the Future of Senior Healthcare

Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?

Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?

Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?

Comparing All Medigap Plans | Chart Updated for 2025

Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square

Do I Need to Renew My Medicare?

Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?

Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?

Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?

Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?

Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?

Does Medicare cover Deviated Septum Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Driving Evaluations?

Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?

Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?

Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Kyphoplasty?

Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?

Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Macular Degeneration?

Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?

Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?

Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?

Does Medicare Cover Piqray?

Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?

Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?

Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?

Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?

Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?

Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?

Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?

Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare

Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare

Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors

Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors

How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?

How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?

How Much Does Xeljanz Cost with Medicare?

How to Apply for Medicare?

How to Become a Medicare Agent

How to Choose a Medigap Plan

Is PAE Covered by Medicare?

Medicare Advantage MSA Plans

Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Should You Work With A Remote Medicare Agent?

The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023

Turning 65 and Thinking of Keeping COBRA? Here’s Why It Usually Backfires

What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?

What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?

What is a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman?

What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?

What Is the Medicare Birthday Rule in Nevada?

What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage

When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?

Why Is Medicare So Confusing?

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.

Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

Terms of Use
Notice of Privacy Practices

Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M

Fair Square Medicare

FSM symbol - 50